Police seize towns back from rebels

Haitian police have regained control of three towns from rebels battling President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, with the Government vowing to recover control of all territory lost during battles that have claimed at least 42 lives.

The US has urged Americans to leave Haiti if they can do so safely, but has no plans for military intervention. The United Nations has warned that Haiti faces a humanitarian crisis as a result of the unrest, which President Aristide claims is part of a coup plot.

"We will do what we must to restore order without harming the population," Haitian Public Safety Minister Jean-Gerard Dubreuil said.